Hair dryer



May 5 1964 l.. FREEDMAN ETAL 3,132,232

HAIR DRYER Filed May 3. 1960 s sheets-sheet 1 www NN n@ NN May 5; 1964 L. l. FREEDMAN ETAL 3,132,232

HAIR DRYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3. 1960 INV-ENTORS u E m m o. @w m Fw @um mhp www L W w f1 sw May 5, 1964 l. FREEDMAN ETAL 3,132,232

HAIR DRYER Filed May 5, 1960 5 sheets-sheet s i INVENTORS g3 Lawrence If'reedmam John W. Tone EYMOUR APP apr YMM@ ATTORNEYS balanced fashion.

3 64 whose open end 44 is shown in FIG. 5 by a T-shaped element 66 also shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The arms 63 of T-shaped element 66 are secured to bosses 70 extending from casing half 16, and separatewires 72 extend laterally from cord V46 between the downwardly bent` front ange 74 of T 66, front'surfaces of bosses 70 andY the adjacent upper surface of the casing interior. This provides a convenient means for confining and anchoring the electrical wiring within casing half 16 and introducing it into the casing. T 66 'is conveniently fabricated of a moldable plastic material, and its rear end 76 is visible in FIG. '5 at the pperportion of apertures 44.

Discharge aperture 22 at the front end of casing 12 is formed in the shape of an expanding bellmouth, and it incorporatescoupling elements 78 ofthe bayonet type for locking adapter 80 of hose assembly 50 within the dischargeendof dryer10. Apertures 82 are provided in a portion of adapter 80 outside of hose 84 which permits a minimumY flow of air from dryer 10 even if the the other end of hose 84 should become blocked for any This Vprevents the unit'from overheating and Vblowing a fuse if the outlet from hose 84 should become blocked. This safety 'flow of 'air is facilitated by the disposition of aperture -82 within expanded bellmouth 32 of dryer 10.

Adapter 8i), made of a substantially rigid plastic, is secured within the end of hose 84 by the engagement of the single'turn of the helical ridge 86 on a surface within Vresilient helical wire 88 of hose 84. Hoser'84 is made of vincreasing its grip upion'theV outer surface of adapter 80 which effectively resists an unscrewing action. The cir- `cular ridge 92 on adapter'80 between locking projections -81 and apertures 82vprovides a convenient means of gripping and manipulating the end of theV hose into which it is inserted. The outlet 22 of dryer 10 is shielded by an apertured plate 94 shown in FIG. 6. This plate, as indicated in FIG. 2, is locked Within suitable recesses formed within .the upper and lower halves of the casing 14 and 16.

Operation When dryer 10 is heldin the'handrto dry the hair, lever element 24 is rotatedaway from casing -10 to the position shown in FIG. l'to make handle 34 accessible. Handle portion 34 is then grasped in the hand of the operator for which access is provided byrotation of this handle away from the casing, and arms 36'provide a convenient resting point for some of the ngers of the hand. The disposition of the Vcenter of gravity of the dryer somewhere over the hand to the rear of theconnection of the lever with the casing facilitates its Vretention in `a Furthermore, lower wall 38 of forward extension 37 contactsthe forward edge 40 of fin 30 of casing 12 to provide a'stop for lever element 24 in the handle-providing position shown in FIG. 1.

When it is desired to store the unit or when it is to be used in conjunction with attachmenttohose assembly '84,y lever element 24 is rotated adjacent casing 12 as shown `in FIG. 2, and the unit is placed upon'a reasonably fiat surface. The disposition of the center of gravity above the central portion of the long base that lever element 24 provides and theV lateral extensions of arms 36 provide an extremely stable support which is facilitated by the low center of gravity afforded by the folding of lever element 24 adjacent the casing. Even if hose 84 is twisted and turned, dryer 10 will therefore not be tipped over. This stability is enhanced by the forward extension 37 of lever arm 24 which prevents tipping over of the front end of the unit.

A highly convenient and attractive mode of introducing an electric cord 46 into casing 12 is provided by longitudinal projection 42, and the anchoring and guidance of cord 46 and its incorporated wires 72 are facilitated by T-shaped bracket 66. Furthermore, the unit is prevented from overheating even if a blockage of the discharge hose assembly 84 occurs by the ow of air through apertures 82 formed in the coupling adapter 80. This coupling adapter is conveniently secured to a exible 'hose of the type described by engagement of its helical ridge 86 within helical resilient wire 88 of hose 84.

' What is claimed is:

1. A structure for a portable hair dryer comprising `a casing, blower and heating units mounted Within said casing for propelling a stream of heated air. from it, inlet and outletopenings in said casing for introducing air into and discharging it from said casing, a lever means including a lever element and pivot means having an'axis of rotation; said pivot means rotatably attaching said lever element to said casing for supporting it in its operative positions, said lever element beingrrotatable to operative positions* adjacent and removed from said casing, said axis of'said pivot means being somewhat removed from the center of gravity of said casing and the units mounted within it for disposing said center of gravity over a central portion of said `lever element thereby balancing said dryer over said lever element in both of its operative positions, the portion of said lever means disposed' adjacent said axis being laterally extended to provide a base for supporting said dryer in a stable operative position upon a surfacewhen said lever element is in said position adjacent sa'id casing, a portion of saidV lever element remote from said pivot means being'relatively elongated and compact in cross section wherebyit is constructed and arranged asa handle to permit said dryer to be securely held in the handpwhen said lever element -is in said position removed from said casing, and said 'tion'of said lever element extends a distance in front of said pivot means for preventing said casing from being tipped forward when it is supported upon a surface.

4. A structure for a portable dryer comprising a casing, blower andV heating units mounted wit-hin said casing for propelling a stream of heated air from it,inlet and outlet openings in said casing for introducing'air into and discharging it from said easing, ia lever element, pivot means rotatably attaching said lever elementto said casing for supporting it in its operative positions, Vsaid lever element being rotatable to positions adjacent `and, removed from said casing, -a port-ion of said lever element being laterally Vextended to provide a base for supporting said `dryer upon a surface when said lever element is 1n said position adjacent said casing, ian end of said lever ibei-ng relatively elongated and compact in cross sect-lon whereby it is constructed and arranged as la handle'to percmit said dryer to be held in the hand `when said lever element is in said position removed Afrom said caslng, said casing ibe-ing an elongated envelope Iwith said inlet opening disposed at its rear end and its .outlet opening disposed at its front end, said pivot means being disposed slightly forward of the center Vof gravity of said easing and appairatus l:incorporated in it for disposing said center of gravity over a central portion of said lever element to balance said dryer over said lever element Iin both of its operative positions, a Aporation of said lever element extending a distance in front of said pivot means -for preventing said casing from being tipped forward when it is supported upon a surface, a fin extendingfrom the lower portion of saidV adjacent said front extension of said pivot means which is engaged by said front extension when said lever element is rotated to said position removed yfrom said casing to provide a stop for said handle.

6. A structure as set forth i-n claim 5 wherein a hollow longitudinal projection extends from the =lower`rear of said casing with an opening in its back end, an electrical conduit from said blower -unit extends through said open back end, `land the surface of said handle portion disposed adjacent said casing incorporating a rear groove having an open back end which receives said longitudinal projection when said lever element is disposed adjacent said casing to permit said conduit to pass through the back end of said handle element.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein a T-shaped rnernber is secured within said casing over said conduit disposed within said longitudinal projection, said conduit includes a pair of insulated wires, said T-shaped element including .an elongated leg yforming a roof over the hollow space within said longitudinal projection, a pair of arms extending laterally from the front end of said T-shaped element for anchoring it within said casing, and connecting channels from under said leg and arms for diverting each of the pair of wires in said conduit in opposite directions under said arms. p

r8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever element includes =a foot extending in `front of said pivot means for preventing the` forward tipping of said casing when it isrresting upon a surface.

9. A structure 'for -a portable hair dryer comprising a casing, blower and heating units mounted within said casing ior propelling a stream of heated air trom it, inlet and outlet openings invsaid casing for introducing air into and discharging it from said casing, a llever element, pivot means rotatably attaching said lever element to said casing -for supporting it in its operative positions, said lever element being rotatable to positions adjacent and removed from said casing, theside of said lever element being laterally extended to provide a base for supporting said dryer upon a surface when said lever element is in said position adjacent said casing, an end of said lever being relatively elongated and compact in cross section whereby it is constructed and arranged as a handle to permit said dryer to be held in the hand when said lever element is in said position removed from said casing, said casing being an elongated envelope with said inlet opening disposed at its rear end and its outlet opening disposed at its front end, said pivot means being disposed slightly forward of the center oi gravity of saidcasing and apparatus incorpora-ted in it for disposing said center of gravity over ta central portion yof said lever element Ito balance said dryer over said lever element in both of lits operative positions, the front outlet end of said casing being shaped to provide an expanding bellmouth, coupling elements being disposed within a narrow portion of said belilmouth, a hose assembly being provided for conducting air from said [front end of said casing, a coupling adapter at the end of said hose assembly for engaging said coupling elements in the iront of said casing, said coupling adapter being engaged with said coupling elements for connecting` c vsaid hose assembly to s-aid casing, and apertures in said coupling adapter disposed adjacent a wider por-tion of said bellmouth when said hose is connected to said casing tfor providing a4 safety outlet for a-ir should the other end of said hose become obstructed.

10. AV structure as set iorth Iin claim 9 wherein said hose :assembly comprises a resilient helical -wire covered byV-a ilex-ible skin, said coupling adapter is a substantially rigid tubular element having an outside diameter which ts snugly within said helical wire, a helical ridge simil-ar to the helical form of said wire disposed upon the outside of said tubular element for engaging said wire when said tubular element is screwed within said hose assembly to securely 'fasten said adapter to said end of said hose assembly in a rnanner which prevents said adapter from being unscrewed from said hose assembly after it is once screwed into it.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,091,797 France Nov. 3, 1954 

1. A STRUCTURE FOR A PORTABLE HAIR DRYER COMPRISING A CASING, BLOWER AND HEATING UNITS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CASING FOR PROPELLING A STREAM OF HEATED AIR FROM IT, INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS IN SAID CASING FOR INTRODUCING AIR INTO AND DISCHARGING IT FROM SAID CASING, A LEVER MEANS INCLUDING A LEVER ELEMENT AND PIVOT MEANS HAVING AND AXIS OF ROTATION, SAID PIVOT MEANS ROTATABLY ATTACHING SAID LEVER ELEMENT TO SAID CASING FOR SUPPORTING IT IN ITS OPERATIVE POSITIONS, SAID LEVER ELEMENT BEING ROTATABLE TO OPERATIVE POSITIONS ADJACENT AND REMOVED FROM SAID CASING, SAID AXIS OF SAID PIVOT MEANS BEING SOMEWHAT REMOVED FROM THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF SAID CASING AND THE UNITS MOUNTED WITHIN IT FOR DISPOSING SAID CENTER OF GRAVITY OVER A CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID LEVER ELEMENT THEREBY BALANCING SAID DRYER OVER SAID LEVER ELEMENT IN BOTH OF ITS OPERATIVE POSITIONS, THE PORTION OF SAID LEVER MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID AXIS BEING LATERALLY EXTENDED TO PROVIDE A BASE FOR SUPPORTING SAID DRYER IN A STABLE OPERATIVE POSITION UPON A SURFACE WHEN SAID LEVER ELEMENT IS IN SAID POSITION ADJACENT SAID CASING, A PORTION OF SAID LEVER ELEMENT REMOTE FROM SAID PIVOT MEANS BEING RELATIVELY ELONGATED AND COMPACT IN CROSS SECTION WHEREBY IT IS CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED AS A HANDLE TO PERMIT SAID DRYER TO BE SECURELY HELD IN THE HAND WHEN SAID LEVER ELEMENT IS IN SAID POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID CASING, AND SAID LATERALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID LEVER MEANS PROVIDING A REST SURFACE FOR THE FINGERS OF A HAND GRASPING SAID HANDLE. 